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Sleep Apnea is a disorder of breathing during
sleep. Typically it is accompanied by loud snoring. Apnea during sleep consist
of brief periods throughout the night in which breathing stops. People with
sleep apnea do not get enough oxygen during sleep. There are 2 major
types. Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea . . .
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How I Cured My Sleep
Apnea
I have created this page in the
hopes that people with sleep apnea will find it and hopefully I can get
information out to others so they can live a dream sleep filled life as I do
know. For my whole life I struggled with this condition but for most of the time
I did not know that I had it. After doing tons of research I finally cam across
Dr. Nelson Powell out of Stanford University. As it turns out he and Dr. Riley
are the worlds foremost experts at diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. I found
them on their website at www.sleepsurgery.com. Feel free to share this
information with every and anyone that may benefit from the the road I have been
on. In 2004 I did a sleep study which showed I had up to 75 interruptions and
hour. That's more than 1 a minute!!!. As of my latest study I have only 4
interruptions an hour and anything less than 5 is considered normal. I am now
cured! I did not dream for over 20 years and I am happy to say that my dreams
are back along with my health and zest for life. Due to this condition I was
once diagnosed with CFS(Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and barely got up for more
than 4 hours a day. I am very proud to say that in March 2007 I was able to run
the L.A. Marathon! A miracle all thanks to the Internet and modern
science...especially Dr. Nelson Powell whom I cannot thank
enough.
Sincerely,
Scott Hardy
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Things I
Tried
Medical
Procedures
Nose cauterization (worked)Tongue Radiofrequency
(worked)Dental Appliance (Hated it, it hurt my teeth and I
couldn't sleep with it in)
Dr Snore Sleep
Formula (I think it helped a
little)
Sleeping with a belt on my
head ( didn't work)
Sleeping with a tied around my
head (didn't work)
Sleeping in on a massage
table (didn't work)
Sleeping with a jaw supporter
made from a nighttime blindfold (worked and gave me the inspiration
for my SnoreSling invention)
CPAP (We definitely were not
friends..lol. I could not tolerate it)
Afrin (worked to open my
nose)
Chest rub
products (didn't work)
Nasal Strips (worked)
Throat Sprays (worked)
Diet and
Nutrition (definitely worked to maintain my
health and recovery from surgery)
Supplements (worked to maintain my health and
recovery from surgery)
Dr. Teitlebaums
program (helped my Chronic Fatigue
regimen)
Adderrall (misdiagnosed with ADD due to my
brain fog from sleep apnea)
Provigil (Ok band aid but I wanted to cure
for my long term health)
Growth Hormone (worked)
Testosterone
Cream (didn't work)
Holistic Dr. in Santa
Monica (Dr. Lawrence Hoppis complete
flake)
Humidifier
Pillows designed for
support
Video Recorded my
sleep
Acupuncture
I've had 5 sleep
studies
History
Sleep Study
2/5/2004 Sleep Study Apnea/Hypopnea
Index(AHI) was 75 per hour, min Oxygen saturation 78%, 0 REM
sleep
2/20/2007 Dr. Teilbaums program for
CFS
8/1/2007 Dr Powell
Sleep Study
8/20/2007 Sleep Study Apnea/Hypopnea
Index(AHI) was 40 per hour, min Oxygen saturation 88%, 0 REM
sleep
Surgery
11/26/2007 Pre Op with Dr
Powell
11/27/2007 Tongue Advancement and
Tongue Radiofrequesncy
12/5/2007 Follow Up with Dr
Powell
12/19/2007 Follow Up with Dr.
Powell/Dr. Sesso
Sleep Study - this turned out to be a false
positive. Dr. Powell didn't believe it so we retested in March...he was
right
1/29/2008 Sleep Study Apnea/Hypopnea
Index(AHI) was 3.9 per hour, min Oxygen saturation 89%, 24% REM
sleep
1/30/2009 Meet with Dr. Powell about
sleep study
LA Marathon
3/2/2008- LA Marathon- though I'm
not cured yet I am definitely getting REM sleep that I've never had for most of
my life. I felt so good that I trained for the LA Marathon and completed it in 4
hours and 24 minutes! A huge accomplishment considering over the last few years
I have been so tired I could barely do anything that I wanted to
do.
Surgery
3/12/2008 Lower Eyelid surgery Dr
Glenn Vallecillos M.D.
3/14/2008 Down to 6.1% Body
Fat
Sleep Study
3/23/2008 Sleep Study Apnea/Hypopnea
Index(AHI) was 26 per hour, min Oxygen saturation 92%, 24% REM
sleep
Surgery
9/9/2008 Visit Dr. Powell and Give a
unit of blood at the Blood Bank
9/15/2008 MMA
Surgery
9/17/2008
Discharged
9/25/2008 Kid Rock
Concert
Surgery
10/14/2008 Arch bars
removed
10/15/2008 Visit Dr Powell and new
X-rays
Sleep Study
12/9/2008 Sleep
Study
12/10/2008 Dr Powell Follow
Up
Sleep Study
1/28/2009 Follow Up with Dr. Powell
before sleep study
1/28/2009 Sleep Study Apnea/Hypopnea
Index(AHI) was 4.3 per hour, min Oxygen saturation 91%, 16% REM
sleep
CURED!!! A NEW
LIFE!!!
My Tattoo
"To Sleep Perchance To
Dream"
2 months prior to my MMA surgery I
knew that this was going to cure me once and for all so I decided to get a
tribute tattoo to all the struggles I had been through with sleep apnea. The
tattoo says ADVERSITY "To sleep perchance to dream". Placing it on my back
represents putting this adversity behind me once and for all. And for those that
don't know "To sleep perchance to dream" is a Shakespeare quote from Hamlet.
Though the quote is taken a bit out of context, I found it fitting since I
hadn't dreamt(literally) in about 20 years.
LA
Marathon
Though I wasn't cured yet, after my
tongue advancement surgery I was starting to at least get some REM sleep. I was
actually starting to dream and I started feeling better. I would go up and down,
sometime refreshed, sometimes not. At least I was back on my feet and I was able
to accomplish the marathon. A huge victory for my psyche. In a few short months
I will be cured by MMA surgery.
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Pictures the day before MMA
surgery
I went to Stanford all by myself for
surgery. My father who is retired was driving up and going to meet me in the
hospital the following day after surgery. He was up there with nothing else to
do but look after me and I can't thank him enough. I love you
dad!
I took these pictures the night
before in my hotel room. I was so concerned as to how my face was going to be
reconfigured. It's a very scary feeling knowing you will eventually look
different. As it turns out I've had a lot of people tell me I look better. I
just have a stronger jaw now. I actually like the way I look know, so all that
worry for not. Dr. Powell takes a lot of care into all these
factors.
Pictures right after MMA
surgery
Yes this is me right when I woke up
in ICU. I couldn't talk but I was able to write on a piece of paper to the nurse
to get my blackberry. I wanted to take pictures of my new face because it was
killing me to know what I looked like. I know this sounds vain but if I was
really that vain I wouldn't have elected to have the surgery. Trust me its a
natural concern before having such a procedure. Anyway I also wanted to let my
girlfriend Jessimyn know that I was ok. I am in some pain but it's more
uncomfortable than anything. Not being able to communicate normally is
frustrating to say the least. But they have me pretty doped up and I'm coherent
and strong enough to be able to take picture of myself
lol.
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Day 2 in my own
room
My dad by my side to help me
every step of the way! Thanks Pops
I'm able to take down fluids and
mumble a bit. I'm mostly sleeping, watching TV etc. The pain is not too bad but
I do have a high tolerence for pain. I'm able to get up and move around but for
the most part I'm just laying down. Dad and I watching movies on my laptop. I'm
able to put small amounts of fluids in my mouth and then just kind of let it go
down my throat. The only problem is when I try to take down too much it comes
out my nose. It's funny but very uncomfortable.
Day 3 There's no way I'm going to
let them keep me here another night.
Dr. Powell came to see me and put
one of those scopes down my nose so he can see his work. His response, "Now
that's an airway!" which brings a huge feeling of happiness to me. It was so
significant he had one of the other doctors see what he was talking about.
Apparently I now have the Grand Canyon for an airway haha. Wait till I see the
X-rays before and after. I had no idea what was possible.
Anyway Dr. Powell was noticed that I
hadn't taken down much of my food and said he thought it may be better if I stay
another day. NO WAY JOSE! The only reason I couldn't get the food down was
because it kept coming out my nose. I said give me a little bit and I'll show
you I can get it down. He came back some time later and was satisfied. I'm the
type that's willing to take help however I do everything I can to get myself on
my feet. There's no way I was going to let some broth and juice keep me in the
hospital another night. The result you can see above...Goodbye Stanford Hospital
you were great! Great service and the traveling nurse that took care of me was
awesome.
I know this sounds crazy but tonight
I'm going to Oakland A's baseball game with my dad. They are playing the
Angels(which is my 22nd favorite team next to the Dodgers). My dad grew up in
Oakland and there's nothing like going to a game in a different city with your
old man. It was just one of those things I wanted to do just to have that moment
with my dad. I only made it through about 5 innings before I was getting too
tired to stay. It was cold. Who would have thought that 2 days after this kind
of surgery I would be going to a baseball game. I'm sure Dr. Powell would not
have endorsed this but that's the kind of person I am. Positive attitude and
mind over matter go a long way.
Anyway here's the ticket stub to
prove it!
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Day 4 - Dad and I take a trip to
Half Moon Bay. Home of Mavericks Surf Spot
I wanted to take a trip out with my
dad to Half Moon Bay. I know I'm supposed to take it easy but I really am
capable to go out and look around. Thank you Jamba Juice because you are right
down the street from the motel and I'm visiting you 2-3 times a day for a while.
So dad and I end up in Half Moon Bay and we walk down the main street. I'm
definitely walking gingerly but it's good to be up and at em.
I really wanted to check out the
surf shops and we ended up finding Cowboy Surf Shop. That's where I got this hat
in the pictures below. I also bought Jessimyn a sweatshirt as a momento and to
let her know that I'm thinking about her. I wish she was up
here.
Day 5 - Dad and I take a trip to
San Francisco
Today dad and i went to San
Francisco. I'm reaching my breaking point today. I got so tired walking around.
I was a bit too ambitious today but i made it through. I got a headache for a
little while and I just seemed to wear out easily. Still not bad for just a
couple of days out of surgery! Below are pictures of the sea lions,
alcatraz and the golden gate bridge. As you can see I'm still swollen and
there's no way I'm shaving yet but I'd say I look pretty good. I still can't
really move my mouth, it's just basically frozen in place and the pain isn't too
bad.
Day 7 - One Week Visit to Dr.
Powell's office
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A thing about Sleep
Studies
Lower Eyelid Surgery -
Blepharoplasty and Facial Fat Transfer Dr. Glenn Vallecillos,
M.D.
The Arch
Bars
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Finally Back
Home
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Kid Rock Concert - 10 days after
surgery
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On one of my trips up to Stanford I
decided to splurge and rent a Corvette instead of some tiny little compact. I've
been through so much I wanted to treat myself.
WARNING: Some of the pictures on my
website are graphic. My goal is to give a real account of the process I went
through in order to help others that are considering changing their life with
sleep apnea surgery. For me, It was all worth it!
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X-rays coming
soon...
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WOW! 99k Hospital
Bill!
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My bigger mission to give
back
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Tips Before MMA
Surgery
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Resources
Proper Nutrition Before and After
Surgery
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Things you will need throughout
your journey!
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3 month Update
Matt Mahowald and New Performance
Nutrition did an amazing job getting me ready before surgery and putting
together my plan for after surgery. Below is the plan he spelled out for me. I'm
sure Dr. Powell with tell you that I was one of the best healers that he has
ever had. I owe a lot of that to Matt for keeping me up to speed on my
nutrition. Below is the plan he designed for me http://www.newpfc.com/. Click here to visit this website
and learn more about how they can help you!
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
(UPPP)
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This is the traditional UPPP
technique for improving the airway at this level. There are many modifications
of this technique. Laser removal of tissues commonly called a laser assisted
palatopharyngoplasty (LAUP) gained popularity some years back since it could be
done as an outpatient or office procedure. Due to excessive pain and multiple
treatments, this technique is used less commonly. Radiofrequency (TCRF) has all
but replaced this technique for snoring.
I got this image from Dr. Powell's
website at www.calsleep.com
Mandibular Osteotomy Genioglossus
Advancement
Genioglossus Tongue
Advancement
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This is designed to place tension on
the tongue and improve the airway behind the back of the tongue during sleep.
The genioglossus is the main tongue muscle. During sleep, this muscle relaxes
and often allows the tongue to fall backwards into the airway. This muscle
attaches to the inside of your lower jaw to a tiny projection of bone the size
of your little fingernail. If a segment of bone containing this muscle is pulled
forward and stabilized, it can stabilize the airway space behind the tongue.
Maxillomandibular
Advancement(MMA)
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This procedure is designed to open
additional airway behind the back of the tongue. It is usually performed if
previous procedures have not completely improved the obstructive breathing
episodes and/or the patient has persistent symptoms of daytime sleepiness and
fatigue. The operation moves the bone of the upper and lower jaw forward as a
unit. Hence, very little change in facial appearance is seen.
Jessimyn and I went to the Kid Rock
concert at Universal Amphitheater. It was a great show, but going to a concert
with a busted jaw was a little ambitious. I had the guy next to me flailing his
arms in the air and getting all rowdy and so the whole time I was worried about
getting hit in the jaw. I asked him to move and he gave me attitude. Whatever
buddy. Your a loser standing in the aisle...go back to your
seat.
Anyway we had a great time and Run
DMC made an appearance at the show! It was an awesome surprise. I would also
like to take this opportunity to thank Jessimyn for all the support and care she
has given me through this whole process. I will never forget the kiss we shared
the day she dropped me off at the airport. It will always be the last kiss I had
with my old mouth...I was a much better kisser then haha.
Asleep on the airport floor on one
of my trips. In the past I used to make so much noise from apneas that sleeping
in public just wasn't possible. Now I'm told I don't make a sound...and for the
first time in over 20 years I am dreaming!!!
Tonight for dinner..PFChangs hot and
sour soup (I have to make sure to let hot food cool down because I have no
feeling in my mouth at this point). I am so jealous because I told dad to get
the crab wonton appetizer and I can't have any =(
Tonight for dinner...Cheesecake
Factory! I got mashed potatos and gravy and Banana cream cheesecake. Let me tell
you, the whip cream on the cheesecake goes down so easily and is the best thing
I've had since the surgery...what a treat!
Here are Dr. Sesso's notes from my
visit (take right out of my file). Scott returns following bimaxillary surgery
one week ago. He is doing quite well. His occlusion is intact. All incisions are
healing nicely. The nasal cavity is widely patent. He does have a herpetic
eruption likely as a result of stress. I have asked the patient to make sure he
continues his medications, to apply vasaline to his lips. Otherwise he is doing
quite well. He is taking almost no pain medications. His sleep is actually quite
good. He will see Dr. Powell tomorrow before he is allowed to travel
home.
I am feeling great. I still have to
sleep upright but I'm ready to go home.
How do they expect you to sleep with
all this crap on you. When your sleep deprived it's easy to fall asleep. But
when you're not suffering from apnea this is so uncomfortable. Another thing, DO
NOT have a beard when you go. See the first picture with my beard...it was
painful the way they stick those wires on your face. You can see in the next two
sleep studies I learned my lesson...clean shaven
From all the years of having severe
bags under my eyes I decided to get them fixed. People were always telling me
how tired I looked even though I had slept fine. Dr. Glenn did an awsome job.
Now that I'm healed from this I am so glad I did it. No one ever comes up to me
I look tired...so thankful.
I looke worse than I really am in
these pictures. I've been to work everyday for a few hours since I've been
back
It's been one month since my surgery
and now it's time to get the archbars removed. A quick trip up to Palo Alto and
I'm almost done with everything. I showed up by myself thinking they would let
me walk out of there after the procedure. Dr. Powell wasn't having it. They said
I have to at least get a cab back to my motel room and I said no problem. As you
can see I have some range of motion with my bite and I'm clearly ok enough to
make funny faces =)
Try it. http://www.drsleepgood.com/products.html. I tried everything and finally
made a homemade contraption that worked for me. I found that by keeping my mouth
supported that I no longer snored and I also woke up more refreshed. I believe I
had less apnea interruptions with the homemade device I created from a blind
fold. That is how I got the inspiration to create the SnoreSling. Trust me it's
worth $70 to try it and to use it in the process getting yourself
cured.
CPAP users have said it helps them
tolerate their CPAP use also. Trust me a few millimeters of opening can make a
big difference.
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My bigger mission now is to give
back as much as I can to people that suffer from sleep apnea and or snoring.
I've created http://www.drsleepgood.com/ and http://www.snoresling.com/ as just the beginning. I am writing
newsletters and sending tons of referrals to Dr. Powell. So far I'm getting
amazing responses and it feels great to help point others in the right
direction.
Liquid Tylenol - I had know idea it
existed
Pill Crusher - Taking medication has
never been so easy!
SnoreSling - Controlling your jaw is
the first step towards getting a good nights rest!
Water Pick - You will need this, I
guarantee it!
The best resource I can give you is
Dr. powells website at http://www.calsleep.com/
I can do anything I want to do, I
dream every night, I'm getting into the office earlier than ever and i have all
my weight back. The only thing thats different is my bite and my lack of feeling
in my mouth. I mostly can't feel my gums but it doesn't bother me too much. My
bite is a little off. I had one toothed shaved down a little bit and that has
seemed to help.
Positives- Almost everything even my
new look. I have been told numerous time that I am better
looking.
Negatives- lack of feeling in my
mouth
Worth it? YES YES YES - REM sleep is
so underrated!
I am willing and want to help anyone
that has questions about sleep apnea or my surgery etc.
Contact me:
scott@snoresling.com
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"When I think back on the endless
nights I went through, and the beauty of simply being able to dream as I do now,
I want nothing more than to share that peace with others"
Scott Hardy
Founder of
SnoreSling
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
(OSA) is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate
medical attention. The risks of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea include
heart attacks, strokes, impotence, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and
heart disease. In addition, obstructive sleep apnea causes daytime sleepiness
that can result in accidents, lost productivity and interpersonal relationship
problems. The severity of the symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe. If you
suffer from symptoms of OSA please seek medical assistance. Statements on this
website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This
product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases
including OSA.
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Join our newsletter for free tips on
how to stop snoring, limit the affects of sleep apnea and special offers from
our partners to help you get your bodies required amount of
sleep!